New records and range expansion of alien fish and macroalgae in Greek waters (south-east Ionian Sea)

Abstract

Three lessepsian fish immigrants—Siganus luridus, Siganus rivulatus and Fistularia commersonii—as well as two alien macroalgae—Stypopodium schimperi and Asparagopsis taxiformis—are reported for the first time from the Messiniakos Gulf (south-east Ionian Sea, Greece). Findings of S. schimperi and A. taxiformis correspond to their westernmost records from Greek waters. Direct field observations showed that S. luridus has established a permanent population, the first to be mentioned in the Ionian Sea taken as a whole. The results increase the total number of marine aliens of the studied area to 14 species, enhancing the assumption that the south-east Ionian Sea is a hot spot on the way of lessepsian species spreading to the west.